Chen Family, Council Hall.

The usually solemn and dignified council hall was now adorned with festive decorations, and about twenty people stood inside.

At the center of the hall sat the Great Elder of the Chen Family, his beard speckled with white. He looked at a tall woman in the hall with an expressionless face and announced in a deep voice, "I hereby declare that Chen Qiaoqian will be married off to Li Li of the Li Family as a concubine. The wedding date will be set soon."

The hall erupted into commotion, with a wave of applause spreading through the crowd, many faces alight with excitement.

Once the Chen Family allied with the Li Family through marriage, they would be strengthened, securing their position in the precarious environment of Luo City.

"The Great Elder is wise. With the Li Family as in-laws, those families eyeing us like tigers will be nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs."

"The Great Elder's move is truly brilliant, worthy of being the pillar of our Chen Family."

"I agree wholeheartedly, with both hands in support."

"......"

Everyone praised continuously, not one person caring about the unwilling and despairing face of the woman in the hall.

The Great Elder also showed a satisfied expression.

As long as Chen Qiaoqian, the daughter of the family head, was sent into the Li Family, wouldn't the Chen Family be under his control?

"Nonsense. Even if I die, I will never marry Li Li. My husband is Han Yang."

"Alive, I am his person; dead, I am his ghost. If you continue to force me, I will... prove my resolve with death."

At that moment, a resolute voice suddenly interrupted the crowd's excitement, causing many to frown slightly.

The woman in the hall, with her red lips and white teeth, had a tall and beautiful figure, a striking beauty.

However, her face was deathly pale. It wasn't hard to tell that she was afflicted with a severe chill, which completely barred her from cultivating.

Moreover, each time the cold flared up, it required a large amount of spiritual elixirs to treat. If Chen Qiaoqian were not the daughter of the family head, she would not have survived until now.

In this world where martial prowess reigned supreme, those who couldn't cultivate were no different from trash.

Hearing this, the Great Elder's face darkened, and he spoke coldly, "That is not up to you. Over the years, as the eldest daughter of the Chen Family, your food, clothing, and medical expenses have consumed countless resources. Now, it's time for you to contribute to the family."

"Today, you will marry whether you want to or not!"

"If you push me further, I'll die right in front of you."

Out of nowhere, Chen Qiaoqian produced a dagger and pressed it straight against her own neck, drawing a stark trail of blood across her fair skin.

This action caused everyone present to change their expressions.

The eldest daughter of the Chen Family was specifically requested by Li Li. If she died, it would be a huge problem.

Not only would the two families be unable to form an alliance, but they might also offend the Li Family.

With this thought, the Great Elder subtly signaled to someone standing below him.

That person was the Great Elder's son, Chen He. Receiving his father's signal, he stepped forward and said to Chen Qiaoqian, "Eldest Miss, don't be ungrateful. If you agree, we can send you off with grandeur. If you don't, we have ways to send you to the Li Family, but the treatment will be different."

"And if you don't behave, that useless Han Yang you speak of, I guarantee he won't see the light of day tomorrow."

"You..."

Chen Qiaoqian's expression changed, and she suddenly turned to look at Chen He.

At the moment she let her guard down, Chen He accelerated and rushed in front of Chen Qiaoqian, grabbing her arm.

Then, he slapped her.

Slap.

The sound of the slap was crisp and loud.

The dagger in Chen Qiaoqian's hand was gone, replaced by five bright red finger marks on her face.

"A bitch is always pretentious. Someone, tie her up, take her down to wash and dress, and inform the Li Family to come for the wedding this afternoon."

Chen He's mocking voice rang out as he played with the dagger in his hand.

Immediately, people stepped forward to take action.

However, Chen Qiaoqian did not resign herself to fate and turned to run out of the hall.

"Catch her." Chen He, slightly stunned, sneered.

"Yes."

Two guards quickly chased after her.

Chen Qiaoqian had just reached the entrance of the council hall when, perhaps in her haste, she didn't notice the situation outside and ran straight into someone's arms, being embraced tightly.

"Ah... let go, let me go."

A scream suddenly rang out.

But upon seeing the figure in front of her, she quickly stopped.

"Brother Yang?"

"Run, they're trying to catch me, hurry!"

As she spoke, she tugged at Han Yang's arm.

However, she couldn't move him at all, and at that moment, Chen Qiaoqian was on the verge of tears.

Holding her, Han Yang's eyes fell on his fiancée's cheek, the swollen handprint making his brow furrow, and a chilling coldness spread.

"Who did this?"

"It was Chen He..."

Chen Qiaoqian instinctively replied, quickly realizing and trying to pull Han Yang to run.

But it was too late.

The two guards who had caught up blocked their path from both sides.

One of them, without a word, reached for Chen Qiaoqian's head of beautiful hair, completely ignoring Han Yang.

Seeing this, a murderous intent surged in Han Yang's eyes. He held Chen Qiaoqian tightly and slightly shifted, then kicked out.

Bang.

The man flew out in response.

The other guard was completely stunned.

"Didn't expect you, a piece of trash, to show up. Perfect, today you'll watch your fiancée be taken as a concubine. Hmph, what are you waiting for? Take them both down."

Chen He followed behind, looking at the two with mockery.

"Was it him who hit you?"

The murderous intent in Han Yang's eyes intensified. Without waiting for the guard to act, he struck out with a palm.

The guard was only at the sixth level of Body Tempering and couldn't withstand Han Yang's palm strike, flying backward toward Chen He.

"You're courting death."

Chen He raised an eyebrow, sidestepping to avoid it.

He looked at Han Yang with some surprise, "Committing murder in the council hall, killing a Chen Family warrior, according to the crime, you should be executed, today I..."

Before he could finish speaking, he found the figure before him had disappeared.

Suddenly, his eyes widened in terror as he saw Han Yang had already rushed in front of him.

Just as he was about to retreat, Han Yang's speed was even faster and more fierce, slapping out.

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There was no time to dodge.

This slap, filled with Han Yang's anger, was astonishingly powerful. At the moment of impact, the sound of bones shattering exploded.

The surrounding people gasped in unison.

Chen He's body slammed into the council hall wall, his head bursting open, red and white matter flowing everywhere.

Having killed him, Han Yang acted as if nothing had happened, lightly returning to his original spot, continuing to hold the frightened Chen Qiaoqian.

"Ah... my son."

"You little beast, I want you dead, kill him for me."

More than ten people rushed out from the council hall, quickly surrounding Han Yang and Chen Qiaoqian.

"Brother Yang, your cultivation?"

Chen Qiaoqian's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

"I'm fine now. With me here, no one can bully you anymore."

Han Yang's lips curled into a smile as he looked at the person in front of him, recalling past memories.

In the Chen Family, he had always been looked down upon, especially after his cultivation was destroyed, everyone ignored him. If it weren't for his fiancée, Chen Qiaoqian, he wouldn't have survived until now. Han Yang coldly swept his gaze over the people present.

"I, Han Yang, swear to protect Chen Qiaoqian for this life and the next. Anyone who humiliates my wife will face the annihilation of their entire sect."

Han Yang's murderous intent surged as he unhesitatingly killed Chen He.

---

Proofreader: Peter Pan